Janez Jordan, co-founder of Farm Veles, has dedicated over twenty years to exploring natural building, becoming one of Slovenia’s pioneers in straw-bale construction. By adapting techniques for straw bales, he has simplified the process while emphasizing the use of local, natural materials. From preparing clay for plasters to applying decorative finishes, Janez combines technical expertise with artistry, sharing his knowledge through workshops, mentoring and consulting. For him, natural building is not just a profession—it’s a way of life.

Natural building at Veles is deeply connected to human living culture, preserving traditional practices while adapting them to modern needs. It encourages responsible use of natural resources and a harmonious relationship with the environment. Using wood, straw, clay, sand, lime, and other natural materials, Veles creates contemporary, healthy homes.

  • Human health and well-being
  • Environmental sustainability
  • Community connection and social well-being

Contact Janez at: kmetija.veles@gmail.com or +38641384257

Janez doing decoration plastering
Tadelakt shower
Polished tadelakt
Castle clay work done
Letting light in using bottles
Tadelakt bathroom
Tadelakt bathroom
Clay final layer
Tadelakt bathroom
Straw insulation
Polishing tadelakt with wax in the kitchen
Clay close-up
Rough layer of clay done
Clay close-up

Clay as material

Clay is a timeless, sustainable building material used for millennia. It is mixed with sand to balance plasticity and strength, ensuring suitability for construction.

At Farm Veles, local clay is dried and ground into powder, forming the base for techniques such as:

  • Coarse and fine clay plasters
  • Compressed  walls
  • Clay floors
  • COB construction
  • LCS (Light Clay Straw) technique
  • Bricks and blocks

Each method requires specific clay-to-sand ratios and granulometry. All materials are tested on-site and verified in laboratories for safety. To date, Veles clay has been used in over 200 projects, including residential homes and heritage buildings.

The clay at Veles
Janez putting on a rough layer of clay with a machine
Clay work
Clay rough layer workshop

Services

Clay plasters

Clay, sand, and water combine to create breathable wall coatings suitable for wood, straw, stone, brick, or plasterboard. Proper surface preparation is essential, e.g., reed for wood, trimming straw for smoothness, lime slurry for brick or stone. Clay plasters naturally regulate humidity, neutralize odors, improve indoor climate, and provide insulation.

Contact us

Decorative clay plasters

Thin-layer decorative plasters allow higher clay content for strength. Additives like casein, methylcellulose, or water glass can improve adhesion, shine, and partial water resistance.

Tadelakt bathroom

Lime decorative plasters

  • Tadelakt: Ancient polished lime technique treated with Marseille soap for hardness, water resistance, and shine. Pigments are customizable.
  • Stucco/Stuccolustro: Shiny, waterproof lime plasters with a 3D visual effect, historically developed to imitate marble.
Tadelakt shower

Workshops

Veles offers hands-on workshops in natural building for anyone interested in sustainable construction or creating their own home. Janez Jordan is the leader of the workshops and Petra Jazbec facilitates these workshops, supporting participants not only in practical skills but also in building social connections and understanding the broader context of sustainable living on the farm. The focus is knowledge transfer, emphasizing learning over the quantity of work completed.

For organizations or sustainability projects, Veles also conducts on-site workshops elsewhere, bringing natural building expertise directly to communities and initiatives.

Contact Janez at: kmetija.veles@gmail.com or +38641384257

Rough layer of clay being applied during a workshop
Different clay mixtures
Preparing the straw for the clay-straw building technique
Janez explaining the theoretical part of natural building during a workshop
Janez & volunteer applying decorative clay
Janez showing different materials during a workshop
Natural building workshop - building the hut
Natural building workshop - building the hut
Posing after a job well done
Preparing clay
Contact us

Mentorship & Consulting

For those embarking on their own construction, Veles provides personalized guidance, helping participants through each stage of straw-bale construction and clay/lime plaster application. Janez offers practical mentoring with insights on sustainable living, ensuring people gain confidence to continue independently.

Guidance during the process

All expertise at Farm Veles is shared openly, especially for self-builders. Janez guides customers from planning to execution, demonstrating techniques and supporting hands-on practice, while Petra can also support the mentoring process by fostering connections, collaboration, and an understanding of a sustainable way of life.

Contact Janez at: kmetija.veles@gmail.com or +38641384257

Jernej Tramte

Jernej Tramte

Volunteer, Natural builder

“Veles is a true success story of self-sufficiency and community. I was mostly involved in natural building — working with clay plasters and tadelakt — where I learned a lot, as Janez is one of the leading experts in Slovenia in this field. I always enjoy returning to the Veles farm, whether to work, visit, or simply spend time there, as the atmosphere is always warm and welcoming. The volunteers, their children, and the animals all contribute to the wonderful spirit of the place. Heartfelt thanks!”

Ira Zorko

Ira Zorko

Partner, Architect

“With their warmth and dedication, Janez and Petra have, over more than a decade of work on their family farm Veles, created opportunities for many — especially young people — to come together with experienced mentors and explore ways of living that are simpler, more sustainable, and socially richer. A special focus has always been placed on natural building methods, where Janez has proven himself not only as a true pioneer and exceptional craftsman but also as an outstanding teacher who shares his knowledge with love and deep conviction in the purpose and value of his work. As a lecturer, I have always gladly accepted their invitations, thanks to the excellent organization, the right balance of relaxation, and a productive atmosphere.”

Petra & Kili

Petra & Kili

Self-builders mentored by Janez

“Janez visited us twice — first for the rough clay plasters and later for the fine ones. Each time, he explained everything thoroughly and demonstrated it in practice. Together with friends, we enthusiastically completed all the plastering, and the atmosphere was always filled with great positive energy. I think Janez also enjoyed coming to Žibrše 🙂 During and after the work, he was always available with helpful, firsthand advice. He is professional and precise in his craft. All praise to him — we’re very happy we chose clay plasters!”

Partners

Veles collaborates with companies in Slovenia working in natural building, as well as with the Association for Natural Building Slovenia. Beyond the professional network, they also work with NGOs, sustainability initiatives, and community projects, sharing knowledge and promoting natural building practices both nationally and internationally.